When you sit down for a long session of gaming on your computer, the last thing you want to distract from your game is a terrible mouse. If you take your gaming seriously, you already know a vast gulf exists between using a typical mouse and a gaming mouse. Gaming mice are more durable, accurate, and comfortable for long-term use. They become an extension of you, instead of a clunky tool that distracts from your gameplay.

Logitech G Pro Wireless

The Logitech G Pro Wireless is a sleek and lightweight gaming mouse that has an ambidextrous design for left or right-handed players. It comes with fewer buttons than many of its competitors, but it does offer the same number of customizable buttons

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Logitech G Pro Wireless

The Logitech G Pro Wireless is a sleek and lightweight gaming mouse that has an ambidextrous design for left or right-handed players. It comes with fewer buttons than many of its competitors, but it does offer the same number of customizable buttons

Glorious Model O

The Glorious Model O is the latest gaming mouse from one of the most popular peripheral companies. It’s a smaller, lighter sibling of the Model O, but it is corded only, so if you’re looking for a wireless mouse, this isn't for you.

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Glorious Model O

The Glorious Model O is the latest gaming mouse from one of the most popular peripheral companies. It’s a smaller, lighter sibling of the Model O, but it is corded only, so if you’re looking for a wireless mouse, this isn't for you.

Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse

Logitech designed the G502 Lightspeed with 11 programmable buttons and an alt button that lets you swap out each button’s function, doubling the number of functions you can perform by mouse click. You can create and save multiple profiles, letting you swap out settings for different games or for different parts of the same game. This mouse doesn’t suffer from…

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Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse

Logitech designed the G502 Lightspeed with 11 programmable buttons and an alt button that lets you swap out each button’s function, doubling the number of functions you can perform by mouse click. You can create and save multiple profiles, letting you swap out settings for different games or for different parts of the same game. This mouse doesn’t suffer from…

Razer Basilisk Ultimate

The Razer Basilisk Ultimate is a gaming mouse that will work well for most people. It has a great size, and its design works for various hand sizes and different grip styles.

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Razer Basilisk Ultimate

The Razer Basilisk Ultimate is a gaming mouse that will work well for most people. It has a great size, and its design works for various hand sizes and different grip styles.

Razer Deathadder V2 Pro

The Deathadder V2 Pro is a gaming mouse with improved ergonomics, sensor and RGB lighting. The updated sensor offers up to 16000 DPI and the new Omron switches make for faster clicking.

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Razer Deathadder V2 Pro

The Deathadder V2 Pro is a gaming mouse with improved ergonomics, sensor and RGB lighting. The updated sensor offers up to 16000 DPI and the new Omron switches make for faster clicking.

3d Connecxion

Designs, manufactures and markets a line of navigation input devices or motion controllers for accelerating user productivity. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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3d Connecxion

Designs, manufactures and markets a line of navigation input devices or motion controllers for accelerating user productivity. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Atrua

Sells a variety of touch control products that can sense a user's touch, confirm a user's identity through fingerprint biometrics and convert touch motions and gestures into control input. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Atrua

Sells a variety of touch control products that can sense a user's touch, confirm a user's identity through fingerprint biometrics and convert touch motions and gestures into control input. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Axiglaze

Selling high-tech 3D-controllers for increased precision, larger working space, more intuitive use and higher reliabilty. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Axiglaze

Selling high-tech 3D-controllers for increased precision, larger working space, more intuitive use and higher reliabilty. Unclaimed: Claim this business

CamSpace

Replaces joysticks, mice, and keyboards for game playing. Easy to use and install. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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CamSpace

Replaces joysticks, mice, and keyboards for game playing. Easy to use and install. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Cirque

Provides off-the-shelf and custom-designed touch input and control technologies for seamless integration into a variety of products. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Cirque

Provides off-the-shelf and custom-designed touch input and control technologies for seamless integration into a variety of products. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Computerware

Features trackballs, keyboards, and keypads. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Computerware

Features trackballs, keyboards, and keypads. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Contour Design

Specializes in the development, research and design of alternative computer input devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Contour Design

Specializes in the development, research and design of alternative computer input devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

CTI Electronics

Supplier of rugged, industrial grade, standard and custom human machine interface solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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CTI Electronics

Supplier of rugged, industrial grade, standard and custom human machine interface solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Cursor Controls Ltd.

Design and manufacture a comprehensive range of industrial trackballs. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Cursor Controls Ltd.

Design and manufacture a comprehensive range of industrial trackballs. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Evergreen Systems International

Manufactures high-resolution industrial/military grade trackball pointing devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Evergreen Systems International

Manufactures high-resolution industrial/military grade trackball pointing devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Filbitron

Provides tablet PC and software solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Filbitron

Provides tablet PC and software solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Good Raise Chemical Industry Co.

Manufactures mouse pads, ergonomic gel wrist rests, keyboard pads, computer accessories and ergonomic office accessories. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Good Raise Chemical Industry Co.

Manufactures mouse pads, ergonomic gel wrist rests, keyboard pads, computer accessories and ergonomic office accessories. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Interactive Computer Products, Inc

Designs light pens, touch screens, and input devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Interactive Computer Products, Inc

Designs light pens, touch screens, and input devices. Unclaimed: Claim this business

Interlink Electronics

Innovators of intuitive interface designs and electronic signature solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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Interlink Electronics

Innovators of intuitive interface designs and electronic signature solutions. Unclaimed: Claim this business

iOne

Sells keyboards, mouse and trackballs. Unclaimed: Claim this business

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iOne

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Features Of A Gaming Mouse

 

Most gaming mice have several special features that separate them from a common desktop mouse. Not all gaming mice share every one of these features, but the better mice have most of the features below. These features can help elevate your play, while not having a gaming mouse often becomes a major disadvantage.

 

Sensor

The sensor is the part of the mouse that tracks the motion of the mouse across a surface. There are two primary types of sensors: laser and optical. While other mice may also have the same types of sensors, gaming mice have better quality and more accurate sensors than standard mice.

The way the sensors work, both laser and optical, is by shining a light down onto your desk or other surface and taking pictures of the reflected light. Inside each mouse is an optical sensor, similar to what is in a digital camera. A gaming mouse compares hundreds of pictures per second to see how the texture of your surface moved during that time period. The biggest difference between optical and laser mice is the source of the light, with an optical mouse using an LED and a laser mouse using a laser to light the surface. You'll get good results from either one, but there are some cases where each has an advantage over the other.


Optical Mice

An optical mouse uses an LED that provides much weaker light than a laser mouse does. This can be a big advantage in some situations, since the weaker light tends to be more reflective. They work great on dull or textured surfaces, but have trouble at times on glossy surfaces.

 

Both laser and optical mice can suffer from skipping, sometimes referred to as acceleration. That happens when the optical sensor in the mouse gets too much data back and its image processor can’t keep up. It results in a mouse pointer that skips around on the screen or jumps from one position on the screen to another. This can cause the pointer to move farther if you move quickly compared to slow movement over the same distance.

 

Optical mice tend not to skip as much as laser mice do, but it still happens. Part of why optical mice don’t have as much trouble is because the lower-powered light doesn’t provide the same level of detail back to the sensor inside, so isn’t as easily overwhelmed.


Laser Mice

A laser mouse has a more powerful laser light. It penetrates into the surface more, which means it doesn’t reflect as well off of dull surfaces as the LED does in many cases. But the laser has an advantage on glossy surfaces.

 

Laser mice are more prone to skipping. The higher power laser light picks up more details than the weaker LED. Too many details can mean more work for the image processor inside the mouse, slowing it down and overwhelming it. Tiny specks of dust can reflect the laser light, which can also result in incorrect data for the sensor. This can cause the mouse pointer to jitter when left in place, or skip around during movement.

 

Weights

 

Some gaming mice have adjustable weights users can add or remove as desired. Many people have trouble if their mouse is too light and they are playing a game that requires quick and accurate motions. They can move too far and have to pull back to correct it. But a heavier mouse can take too much force to move quickly, causing delayed reactions. 

 

Programmable Buttons

 

A lot of gaming mice come with more buttons than typical mice. This may be an extra button or two positioned near the thumb, and in some cases, this can be several extra buttons positioned all around the mouse.

 

These extra buttons are usually programmable. They are essentially the same as hotkeys on gaming keyboards, except that they reside on the mouse. You can set them to match a set of keystrokes. For example, you could program a button to bring up a map screen or swap out weapons so you don’t have to hit the keyboard for these functions during your gameplay.

 

DPI And CPI

 

DPI is a measurement of dots per inch, while CPI measures the counts per inch. They both are referring to basically the same thing, which is the sensitivity of the mouse. Essentially, it’s how much your pointer moves compared to the move you make with your mouse. A higher DPI means a slight movement translates into a bigger one onscreen, while a lower DPI means you have to move the mouse farther to move the same distance on the screen.

 

While a high DPI sounds good, you can go too high. If your DPI is too high, a tiny movement of the mouse will result in a large movement for your onscreen character or mouse pointer. This can make accuracy difficult. But if you go too low then you’ll have to move your mouse over a large space to make even the smallest of movements. Many pro gamers have their DPI set in the 400-800 range. This allows them to be precise with their movements, but not have to move their mouse too far most of the time. 

 

Tracking Speed

 

Tracking speed is a measurement of how far you can move your mouse per second and have the mouse accurately measure the movement. This relates to DPI because a lower DPI will automatically lower the rate the mouse can recognize movement. In a normal mouse, this isn’t much of an issue, but for gaming, it can be very important. 

 

Most gaming mice have a much higher tracking speed than the standard mouse. Some standard mice may only be capable of accurately recognizing 16 inches per second of movement, while gaming mice can recognize anywhere from 150 inches per second up to 650 inches per second. This provides you with more accurate control over what is going on onscreen.

 

Low Lift-Off Distance

 

Lift-off distance is how high from the surface your mouse can be and still track movement. Think of times when your mouse reaches the edge of the mousepad and you have to lift it and move it to the side before you can continue. With a typical mouse, if you lift it a small amount to reset its location, it may still pick up the surface and track your movement, causing your pointer to move and lose accuracy. 

 

Most gaming mice have a very low lift-off distance. This is an advantage if you need to reset your mouse in this way, since you can pick your mouse up a small distance and reposition it without it detecting it as a mouse movement. You’ll have increased control and accuracy. 

Adjustable Poll Rate

 

The poll rate for a gaming mouse is the number of times it reports its position to the computer. This typically ranges from 125Hz, or 125 times per second, up to 1000Hz, or 1000 times per second. Many gaming mice have a way to adjust the poll rate, letting you set it to the poll rate that works best for you and for the games you play. Some games have limits to the poll rate they can recognize, and having a poll rate higher than that can negatively impact the game performance. 

 

Too high of a polling rate can cause your system to bog down. The reason for this is because every time your mouse reports its position to the computer, the computer processor has to handle that data. If you find your framerate dropping, especially when moving the mouse, this could be the culprit. 

 

Build Quality

 

Most people have picked up a typical mouse that comes with a computer. They may notice it is light and cheap feeling, and the buttons don’t always fit or click quite right.

 

Contrast that to gaming mice, which are made of better materials and are sturdier. Sometimes the switches in the buttons are better. The buttons may fit better. 

 

While there are high-end mice not designed for gaming which could compete with the build quality of most gaming mice, standard mice just don’t stack up well. Often the gaming mouse is more durable and will better last through hundreds of hours of gameplay.

 

 

Other Considerations

 

Below are some additional things to keep in mind when searching for a gaming mouse. While some of these may not be specific to a gaming mouse, they can take on added significance for a gamer. 

 

Grip Type

 

The type of grip you prefer can make a difference in which mouse you like and whether your hand cramps halfway through a game or not. Different gaming mice work better for different grips. 


Palm Grip

A palm grip is typical in all mice, gaming and non-gaming alike. You rest your palm on top of the mouse and extend your finger out over the buttons in a relaxed position. This is the most common and popular grip type. Mice designed for this kind of grip are usually a bit wider and have a higher arch. They sometimes can struggle with games that require rapid and accurate movements.


Claw Grip

This is similar to the palm grip, but the hand has less contact with the mouse. For this grip, the fingers will arch up above the mouse to rest on the buttons. Usually these mice are shorter in length and have a lower arch. They work well in games that require a lot of fast gliding movements and more precision. The downside to this grip is that it may be less comfortable over long periods of use.


Tip Grip

These mice tend to be the smallest, with the lowest arch of any design. With these, just the tips of the fingers control everything, and they are usually much lighter. They work great for games that require a lot of rapid movements, but suffer compared to the others for slow and accurate movements.

 

RGB Lighting

 

This is purely an aesthetic factor, but everyone wants their gaming gear to look its best. One way to show off some of your own unique tastes and personality is with the RGB backlighting that many gaming mice come with. Some gaming mice let you adjust the color and intensity of the lighting, letting you express yourself and letting you match your system and keyboard.

 

Left Vs. Right Handed Vs. Ambidextrous

 

Manufacturers design most mice for use by right-handed people. This leaves many left-handed people using mice designed for righties, but they don’t have to. There are gaming mice specifically designed for left-handers, and many more that have an ambidextrous design. For left-handed people, this can be a mouse that slants or curves the opposite way of a right-handed mouse, with side buttons on the opposite side of the right-handed version. Ambidextrous designs often have thumb buttons on both sides, with a symmetrical design. 

 

Wired Vs. Wireless

 

While it used to matter more, now the decision of whether to use a wired or a wireless mouse is mostly a matter of choice. Wireless mice used to have more lag, but that is no longer always the case. 

 

You need to charge wireless gaming mice regularly, but they usually have long enough battery life for any gaming session. Some wireless mice will recharge in only 2-3 hours. 

 

Wireless mice don’t have the cable dragging down their movement like a corded mouse has. Some people prefer extra weight and resistance, but others may prefer the freedom of not having the cord. A wireless mouse can be farther from the computer because there is no cord to connect. 

 

How To Choose The Best Gaming Mouse

 

First, consider how much you’re going to use the mouse. Take all the previously described features into consideration and decide which matters most to you. You can certainly find a gaming mouse that meets or exceeds every one of your desired features, but it is more cost effective to prioritize the features that matter most to you. 

 

If you can, try out each mouse before you purchase one. Get a feel for the grip and see if it works with your hand. Consider the size and weight. Think about how comfortable each will be for you after six straight hours of gripping it. 

 

As with most things, the price can play a factor in your choice of a gaming mouse. You can visit Amazon or a local electronics store and pick up a standard mouse for less than $10, but you’re not going to find a gaming mouse for that price. Serious gaming mice often run in the $50-125 range, and some are much more expensive. A few budget options are available, such as the Logitech G203 Prodigy or the Razer Viper Mini, but even those cost more than a standard computer mouse.

 

Where To Buy A Gaming Mouse

 

When you need a gaming mouse, it’s important to know where to look. If you walk into most stores that sell electronics, you may or may not find a good variety to choose from. Those you do find may not be the best for you. The following retailers are a few of the best places for you to find gaming mice.

 
  • Manufacturers’ websites - online only
  • Amazon - online only
  • Best Buy - in person or online
  • Newegg - online only
  • Micro Center - in person or online
 

If you buy online, make sure to do your research ahead of time. If you have a local store that has the same mouse, or you know someone who has the mouse, you may want to see how it feels in your hand before you purchase it online. See if it fits your hand well, if the buttons are in good locations for you, and if the weight matches what you like.

 

Alternatives 

 

There are alternatives to using a traditional mouse when gaming. 

 

Trackball

 

A trackball is much like an old ball-type mouse turned upside down. Instead of moving the mouse over the surface to turn the ball, you move the surface (in this case your fingers or hand) over the ball to move it, and the mouse remains stationary. Many people would never consider a trackball for gaming, since it requires a lot of hand movement over the ball to move the pointer on the screen, but there are gaming trackballs if you want to give it a try.

 

Touchpad

 

Not usually known for their accuracy and swift movements, touchpads have improved a lot. They usually aren’t going to work as well as a gaming mouse, but some people still use them while gaming. This could be a great option if you have a gaming laptop equipped with a touchpad already. 

 

Keyboard

 

For many gamers, a great keyboard is all they need. This may not work for all games, but some games either work fine without any pointing device at all, or you can remap keys on the keyboard to make it work well enough for you. Some games may even work better without a mouse.

 

Vertical Mouse

 

A vertical gaming mouse is a type of ergonomic mouse that positions your hand as if you are reaching out to shake someone’s hand. The advantage is that you don’t have to twist your wrist around to grip your mouse, so it’s a more natural position and can provide better comfort over long gaming sessions.

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